Boss - Serene summer built confidence

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal's "serene" summer has helped foster optimism ahead of the 2014/15 season.

The Gunners begin their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace on Saturday and the mood at the club is positive after an influx of signings and an emphatic win over Manchester City in the Community Shield.

Wenger knows that will count for nothing if Arsenal drop points at Emirates Stadium this weekend but he admits that this summer has been relatively stress-free.

"[It has been] the calmest environment certainly," he said.

"I am long enough in the job to know that the reality is [Saturday], the toughness of the Premier League, how much can you turn up there and produce a performance. All the rest is good to have, it is a good basis, a good spirit, a good quality in our sessions. But the reality is when we start the game at 5.30pm, to show that we are up for it and ready for a battle.

"To have a more serene environment helps," added Wenger. "Sometimes electricity around you can help you to focus as well. I still believe it is good to have a serene environment to know where we want to go. We know we have put the effort in during our preparations to be ready, so let’s show that tomorrow.

Arsenal have demonstrated their increasing financial power in this transfer window and Wenger believes his job is to ensure his squad fulfils its potential.

"What is important is that a manager takes the best out of a team's potential, that is where we see the good managers," he said.

"Maybe [Tony Pulis] was the manager of the season last year because he took the maximum out of his team during the period he was there, and that is the real job of the manager.

"We are in a stronger situation, but we are still facing clubs who have unlimited resources and who are in the same situation of strength."